Something between Us

Chapter 35.

Prom! 

The night you never want to end but dream about for the entirety of your whole High School Experience.  This one night feels like you wait your whole life for then it's over just as quickly as the gym doors open.

I'm in complete bliss. The Prom committee have pulled off a show stopper. A Mid Summers Night Dream theme... The lighting is blue with a projector lighting the gym roof with what looks like stars scattered across the sky. Fairy lights an woodland creature shadows on the walls. 
I feel like I'm in a Fairy Kingdom. 
"Could this be any better?" Lola approves and so do I. 
"It's perfect." We're admiring the work put into this night, I don't even think I could pull this off in my dreams.
"Can I have this dance?" Chase holds his hand out for me and I smile, "always."
The music is low and I feel nervous. It's just dancing. At Prom. With Chase. 
Okay I need to breath before my face turns purple and Chase legs it out of here.
The song changes, I smile it's a song I love, Untouchable by Taylor Swift. If there was ever a song to perfectly explain the chaos of my life it's this one. 
I wrap my arms around Chase's neck resting my head against his chest I feel his chin find the top of my head, his hands round my wait they're temptingly low.
For the start of the song we're silent, blissfully so swaying with the slow pace of the song. 
My eyes are closed, pretending that it's just Chase and I here, alone lost in the peace that could be our lives. I know Chase is going to New York for College.. We planned it our whole lives, he would go to NYU and I'd be in Julliard. We'd never have to part. 
I sigh, wondering why my minds thinking about college now. Chase must sense there's something wrong.
"What's going on in that beautiful mind?" He whispers so low I can barely hear him.
"I'm just-" I pause.
"Over thinking." Chase states a fact. I shake my head, even though he's right. I want to know if he changed his plans. I'm too afraid to. My plans never changed.
"Are you still planning on going to NYU?" 
He laughs a little, "it's prom and that's what you're thinking about?"
I pout, that's not an answer I can accept. "I just realised we haven't spoke about it once."
"My plans haven't changed. I'm going to NYU." He holds me a little tighter, "Julliard?"
I pull back so that I can look at him now, "yes," I smile at him. 
"My plans have never changed." 
I lay into his rest again, the worry of what the future holds is completely washing away from me. 
We'll be both be in New York for college. That's one promise we both held onto. 
"Maybe you'll be my girlfriend by then," I almost choke, I want to say something but the way Chase stiffens I know he wasn't ready to say that out load just yet. 
I choose to let his remark go, that will happen if it's meant to be. 

From slow dancing with Chase, to dancing with Lola and the Seniors from my squad this night has been perfect. 
Coz you're just a teenage dirt bag. The whole senior class are on the dance for; together despite any differences any of us once had, the nameless faces and shy kids that didn't like to be involved.
My arms are wrapped around Lola we're hugging and jumping up and down like teenager rockers. 
"I love you so much Ally Mae Benson."
"I love you too Lola Milly Denvor." 
Chase doesn't want to get involved in the girl best friend pledges of love, he's dancing with Henry and rest of the team. 

My purse starts to vibrate. I remember I didn't bring my phone tonight.
I didn't feel the need. Chase however did.
But he didn't take into account that his tailored trousers fit him a little too well the pockets weren't big enough for his phone. I laugh at his lack of prepared. 
I promised to look after his phone. 
I take it out of my bag and it's a no caller ID. I look for him but he's no longer on the dance floor. He told me he needed to take five. 
For some unknown reason to me I awnser his phone.
"Hello," I pick up on the final ring.
The other end of the phone is silent. But it's clear there is someone on the other end of the line.
"Hello?" I say again, feeling slightly inpatient. 
I notice Chase walking towards me, he's emerged from talking to some guy I always forget his name.
I smile at him and motion him to come over showing his phone hoping he realises I mean someone's called him.
I think he does because his eyes go wide and he practically runs to be at my side.
His shady actions stop me from handing the phone to him straight away. "I said hello."
I'm annoyed now and adamant to hear why Chase looks like he's seen a damn ghost just because I've picked up his phone.
"Chase."
The voice shocks every nerve in my body. I look at Chase and it clicks immediately for him. The person has relieved their identity. 
"Oh is this little Ally girl." His voice is sick. As sinister as I remember. I can't find the words to. I drop Chases phone on the floor. I don't even care to check I haven't broken it. 
I bolt. I pick up my dress so not to trip over it and run for the exit doors.
 I can hear Chase calling my name but I can't stop the air in that gym is suffocating me now.

I stop running once I'm back in the open air which gives Chase the chance to catch up to me.
"Ally let me explain."
 I turn to face him, at first I was sure it was a mistake I didn't actually believe that Chase knew Charlie would call him. 
Damn it Chase. Why aren't you surprised? 
"Wait-wa- What?" I shake my head trying to understand. 
Has Chase been keeping in contact with Charlie after everything?
"Listen I'm not in contact with him." There e goes reading my mind again.
He sighs running his hands through his hair in frustration he's pulling at the root. 
"Fuck!" He screams which startles me.
I can't find any words I want to give Chase the chance to tell me himself. It must be a misunderstanding.
"I called him after-" He pauses.
God Chase no. Please.
"After I found out what he did-" "tried to do," I appreciate the correction but I still want to know why the fuck he thought to call that bastard.
"I was so angry Al, I called him to tell him I'll kill him," he seems so frustred with himself.
"When I hung up I knew I shouldn't have made the call but I had too."
"No Chase," I finally find my voice. "You wanted too." I correct him. 
"You didn't need to call him, you wanted too." I sigh and that's when I realise. 
Chase see's me as the girl he needs to protect. I'm not his equal anymore.
I'm his damsel indistress.
"I wanted him to know I knew. He had to know if  ever see him again I'd fucking kill hm."
Chase is crying now, he's in dispare.
"You added fuel to the fire Charlie wants to keep burning." I don't yell, I'm not angry at Chase.
I'm hurt. 
I know it doesn't seem like a big deal. But the idea of a man now feeling the need to protect me. To defend my honour and go behind my back and my wishes makes me feel small. 
I promised myself I'd never let anyone make me feel small again.
"I don't need protecting Chase. I need to be seen. To be heard." I sigh, "to be respected." 
I turn to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Chase yells after me, "we can't keep pushing each other away."
I shake my head, "I'm not pushing you away Chase. I just need to be alone."
I know his intentions were honest. He was angry and wanted Charlie to know that, but at what expense. At mine. 
"I love you Ally," Chase yells and I hear it. I love him too and I want to stop fighting. 
Maybe after all this we are toxic for each other. 
I'm not running from him, I'm not hiding from him or my feelings for him. 
But I'm hurt right now and I need to be alone. 
I need to be my own hero, I don't need saving. 
I don't want saving. 

I'll save myself.